Went out to Effiloche for a knit night with my friend Audrey. It was really busy! There were two new people who seemed quite nice as well as us old faithfuls. Its such a great crowd there each week because though not all of us attend every time, we are mostly familiar enough with one another to have conversations about almost everything. We have musician, journalists, office workers, and students. Stay at home moms, self employed, retirees,.......suffice to say nearly every walk of life is covered and discussed in two languages with much laughter and sympathising and a mutual love of yarny goodness. I displayed my mother's sweater sleeve and my dislike of the increases, learned a new-to-me method, ripped and re-knit for the evening. Its much much tidier now thanks to Audrey and her excellent knitting skillz. I managed to come home yarnless this week but holy shit it was HARD. Much much delicious new yarny goodness coming into stock and selling before it even makes it to the shelves. The Louet Mooi is "oh my gods" to die for ( a luxurious bison, cashmere, and silk fiber blend)in its subtle sheen and colours. Boucle seems to be making a comeback too. ;oD
After I came home and drove the babysitter back to her place, I was still too wide awake for bed so I flipped through channels andwatched a little of this and that until I came to the Movie channel and the movie "Young People Fucking" had started. This movie was released with ALOT of controversy and most theaters it showed in had to display the name as YPF. Its sounds like a porno I know but its not. Yes its fairly explicit sexually (like many films) but it was also a study of sex and relationships and in some scenes it was hilariously funny. There are 4 or 5 couples/arrangements, and I missed how each of the encounters are commenced, but it was entertaining to see how each relationship is effected by the events. We have two work colleagues having a roll in the hay(the office man whore and another conquest...or is it? I love Callum Blue.), a long term relationship trying to spice things up (funny and touching, Josh Dean(?) was brilliant), best friends since childhood decide to scratch each others itch (funny, awkward, and eventually sweet), a couple convince a roomate to help them with a sexual issue (FUNNY and wierd), a split up couple getting back together for a lay (kind of sad because they both want to be back together I thought). It was uncomfortable in some scenes and also some "I totally know where that person is coming from" in others. I think that someone watching this film would see them selves at least once in a situation or a character. Two Thumbs Up.
I also rented a movie yesterday afternoon now that I think back that far (its so haaaaaarrrrd). "How To Lose Friends And Alienate People". I "heart" Simon Peg. I didn't hate Kirsten Dunst as much as I usually do but I don't really think she was best for the roll. Jeff Bridges was a little creepy and mean but also kind of poignant as the aging editor who has compromised his integrity to get ahead. I laughed out loud at spots and Simon did his usual spot-on nut-job character portrayal. How does he do these so well? He takes a loathesome obnoxious character and makes you like him?? The man is magic. I have such a thing for him. Shhh don't tell Hman...heh heh.
Himself is off for the weekend, leaving me here with the squabblers. It all began at 7:30 or so this morning when I really wanted to sleep in. Between the kids and Newman's "fetch" demands my morning snooze fest was more of a snooze fast. Now that I am UP everyone is behaving and/or ignoring me. WTF? :oD
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
I'm an Idealist..I guess
Custom Keirsey Temperament Report for: Alison
Your Keirsey Temperament Sorter Results indicates that your personality type is that of the
Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. Idealists strive to discover who they are and how they can become their best possible self -- always this quest for self-knowledge and self-improvement drives their imagination. And they want to help others make the journey. Idealists are naturally drawn to working with people, and whether in education or counseling, in social services or personnel work, in journalism or the ministry, they are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.
Idealists are sure that friendly cooperation is the best way for people to achieve their goals. Conflict and confrontation upset them because they seem to put up angry barriers between people. Idealists dream of creating harmonious, even caring personal relations, and they have a unique talent for helping people get along with each other and work together for the good of all. Such interpersonal harmony might be a romantic ideal, but then Idealists are incurable romantics who prefer to focus on what might be, rather than what is. The real, practical world is only a starting place for Idealists; they believe that life is filled with possibilities waiting to be realized, rich with meanings calling out to be understood. This idea of a mystical or spiritual dimension to life, the "not visible" or the "not yet" that can only be known through intuition or by a leap of faith, is far more important to Idealists than the world of material things.
Highly ethical in their actions, Idealists hold themselves to a strict standard of personal integrity. They must be true to themselves and to others, and they can be quite hard on themselves when they are dishonest, or when they are false or insincere. More often, however, Idealists are the very soul of kindness. Particularly in their personal relationships, Idealists are without question filled with love and good will. They believe in giving of themselves to help others; they cherish a few warm, sensitive friendships; they strive for a special rapport with their children; and in marriage they wish to find a "soulmate," someone with whom they can bond emotionally and spiritually, sharing their deepest feelings and their complex inner worlds.
Idealists are relatively rare, making up no more than 15 to 20 percent of the population. But their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and their idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers.
Idealists at Work
Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. They are naturally drawn to working with people and are gifted with helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potential both on, and off, the job.
Because you live in anticipation of an exciting future, in your ideal job you will be asked to stretch your imagination on a continual basis. Existing ideas, individuals and groups of people, products, services, and the relationships between these things can trigger flashes of insight about how "what is" might unfold into "what might be." You feel rewarded where you feel free to share your insights with people who encourage your creativity and who support the unpredictable process by which you narrow down the stream of ideas into innovations that are meaningful within the scheme of your personal values. You are likely to be comfortable taking on a leadership role, so long as it doesn’t place you in an arbitrary hierarchy.
E= extrovert/expressive N = intuiting/introspective F= feeling/friendly
P= perceiving/probing J= judging/scheduled I= introversion/attentive
Now...am I a Champion (ENFP), Teacher(ENFJ), Healer(INFP), or Counselor(INFJ)? I don't want to pay to find out, so I will leave it up to you. hahahaha...oh gods..
Your Keirsey Temperament Sorter Results indicates that your personality type is that of the
Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. Idealists strive to discover who they are and how they can become their best possible self -- always this quest for self-knowledge and self-improvement drives their imagination. And they want to help others make the journey. Idealists are naturally drawn to working with people, and whether in education or counseling, in social services or personnel work, in journalism or the ministry, they are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.
Idealists are sure that friendly cooperation is the best way for people to achieve their goals. Conflict and confrontation upset them because they seem to put up angry barriers between people. Idealists dream of creating harmonious, even caring personal relations, and they have a unique talent for helping people get along with each other and work together for the good of all. Such interpersonal harmony might be a romantic ideal, but then Idealists are incurable romantics who prefer to focus on what might be, rather than what is. The real, practical world is only a starting place for Idealists; they believe that life is filled with possibilities waiting to be realized, rich with meanings calling out to be understood. This idea of a mystical or spiritual dimension to life, the "not visible" or the "not yet" that can only be known through intuition or by a leap of faith, is far more important to Idealists than the world of material things.
Highly ethical in their actions, Idealists hold themselves to a strict standard of personal integrity. They must be true to themselves and to others, and they can be quite hard on themselves when they are dishonest, or when they are false or insincere. More often, however, Idealists are the very soul of kindness. Particularly in their personal relationships, Idealists are without question filled with love and good will. They believe in giving of themselves to help others; they cherish a few warm, sensitive friendships; they strive for a special rapport with their children; and in marriage they wish to find a "soulmate," someone with whom they can bond emotionally and spiritually, sharing their deepest feelings and their complex inner worlds.
Idealists are relatively rare, making up no more than 15 to 20 percent of the population. But their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and their idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers.
Idealists at Work
Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. They are naturally drawn to working with people and are gifted with helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potential both on, and off, the job.
Because you live in anticipation of an exciting future, in your ideal job you will be asked to stretch your imagination on a continual basis. Existing ideas, individuals and groups of people, products, services, and the relationships between these things can trigger flashes of insight about how "what is" might unfold into "what might be." You feel rewarded where you feel free to share your insights with people who encourage your creativity and who support the unpredictable process by which you narrow down the stream of ideas into innovations that are meaningful within the scheme of your personal values. You are likely to be comfortable taking on a leadership role, so long as it doesn’t place you in an arbitrary hierarchy.
E= extrovert/expressive N = intuiting/introspective F= feeling/friendly
P= perceiving/probing J= judging/scheduled I= introversion/attentive
Now...am I a Champion (ENFP), Teacher(ENFJ), Healer(INFP), or Counselor(INFJ)? I don't want to pay to find out, so I will leave it up to you. hahahaha...oh gods..
Yesterday
I was THE laziest beotch ever. I stayed in my fleecy jammies all day. Hman got home earlier than anticipated and caught me still in my jammies so what was the point in dressing after that. Needless to say today a shower is necessary. But yesterday's laziness was lovely....
I did vacuum the basement, clean litter boxes, and toy with the idea of homemade lasagna noodles (since going to the store entailed getting dressed and going outside). Got sidetracked by a discussion about work with Hman and that meant he went to the store for me! LOL Baked a cake for dessert( and made homemade frosting for a change since the younglings snuck into the pantry cupboard and helped themselves to a sampling of the can of frosting I had in there last week. Too funny!), made lasagna for supper and worried about my poor neice in NS who is sick now for 9 weeks. I found out last night the doc says its pneumonia and has put her on antibiotics. I really hope she finds relief fast.
On today's to do list is the never ending story of laundry and vacuuming upstairs. There are scary dust bunnies chasing the cats so I guess its past time for it. Its a gorgeusly sunny morning and is supposed to warm up to minus 4C today. Tonight is knit night in NDG and since I am neither sick and its not snowing I do believe I will be going. It will be nice to get out with friends for an evening.
I cannot believe its March. Time is flying so fast even though February was the worst month of my year and seemed like it would never end. Now its March and Spring will come and all its joys and chores outside and in. I have my seed order ready for Hope Seeds ( http://www.hopeseed.com/ )in New Brunswick and will get it to the post today. By the time it gets here it will be almost time to start the tomatoes.
This years seed selection is with the intention of saving my own vegetable seeds. I have chosen Quebec 5 tomatoes because of their glowing recommendation, Tante Alice cucumbers, Ida's White and 6 Week beans which are good for both snap (fresh green beans) and dried use, a snow pea that I can't remember the name of, and Merveilles de Quatre Saisons lettuce. Since our trip to a Fruiterie on Saturday while grocery shopping I am wondering if I shouldn't tuck a zucchini plant in somewhere for baby zucchinis. SO GOOD!
I need to get new strawberry plants for the not yet ready(and snow covered!) raised bed I have for them because I think the old ones are done. I am so glad that the gardens can continue being improved upon. Last year was the expensive year what with all the mulch and compost we had trucked in but this year will be much less for my part (I need more mulch and compost but not AS much as last year). For plants I don't need to invest like I did last year eaither. I do however need to tweak my non-existant design/plan. Some plants are not good where they are and some just need to go. I can't wait to see what survived the winter. Please let my Honey Perfume rose be alive.
Doesn't it fill you with hope, when spring is around the corner? The planning, the continuity, the realization that no matter what happens in the lives of mankind life still goes on..? It does for me.
I did vacuum the basement, clean litter boxes, and toy with the idea of homemade lasagna noodles (since going to the store entailed getting dressed and going outside). Got sidetracked by a discussion about work with Hman and that meant he went to the store for me! LOL Baked a cake for dessert( and made homemade frosting for a change since the younglings snuck into the pantry cupboard and helped themselves to a sampling of the can of frosting I had in there last week. Too funny!), made lasagna for supper and worried about my poor neice in NS who is sick now for 9 weeks. I found out last night the doc says its pneumonia and has put her on antibiotics. I really hope she finds relief fast.
On today's to do list is the never ending story of laundry and vacuuming upstairs. There are scary dust bunnies chasing the cats so I guess its past time for it. Its a gorgeusly sunny morning and is supposed to warm up to minus 4C today. Tonight is knit night in NDG and since I am neither sick and its not snowing I do believe I will be going. It will be nice to get out with friends for an evening.
I cannot believe its March. Time is flying so fast even though February was the worst month of my year and seemed like it would never end. Now its March and Spring will come and all its joys and chores outside and in. I have my seed order ready for Hope Seeds ( http://www.hopeseed.com/ )in New Brunswick and will get it to the post today. By the time it gets here it will be almost time to start the tomatoes.
This years seed selection is with the intention of saving my own vegetable seeds. I have chosen Quebec 5 tomatoes because of their glowing recommendation, Tante Alice cucumbers, Ida's White and 6 Week beans which are good for both snap (fresh green beans) and dried use, a snow pea that I can't remember the name of, and Merveilles de Quatre Saisons lettuce. Since our trip to a Fruiterie on Saturday while grocery shopping I am wondering if I shouldn't tuck a zucchini plant in somewhere for baby zucchinis. SO GOOD!
I need to get new strawberry plants for the not yet ready(and snow covered!) raised bed I have for them because I think the old ones are done. I am so glad that the gardens can continue being improved upon. Last year was the expensive year what with all the mulch and compost we had trucked in but this year will be much less for my part (I need more mulch and compost but not AS much as last year). For plants I don't need to invest like I did last year eaither. I do however need to tweak my non-existant design/plan. Some plants are not good where they are and some just need to go. I can't wait to see what survived the winter. Please let my Honey Perfume rose be alive.
Doesn't it fill you with hope, when spring is around the corner? The planning, the continuity, the realization that no matter what happens in the lives of mankind life still goes on..? It does for me.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Quote of the day
Taken from an article on wire knitting by Rosemary Hill in the current Twist Collective (www.twistcollective.com) issue:
" Metal Fatigue: Metal fatigue is a term used for the failure of metal, often after it has been pulled, pushed, kinked, bent or otherwise folded, spindled or mutilated past its breaking point. There are other reasons for metal to fail, but since we will not be building a space shuttle, I think we shall move on."
Heh heh.
" Metal Fatigue: Metal fatigue is a term used for the failure of metal, often after it has been pulled, pushed, kinked, bent or otherwise folded, spindled or mutilated past its breaking point. There are other reasons for metal to fail, but since we will not be building a space shuttle, I think we shall move on."
Heh heh.
The news
UGH!! I had a big newsy post all full of "All Is Well!" kinds of news and it got eaten by the innernetses!!! Dang it!
Ok...in a nutshell then. Meeting not too bad. Still have job still have income. Good. Job will change and cuts are coming that will make the job still less of a funfest..not so good.
Budgetting for this househiold will continue to tighten because it just makes good sense to get a grip on our debt load and spending habits...This is GOOD. Except when I want to go to a bookstore or yarn shop, although in my own defense I have not used household money on yarn for sometime. I found 3 bulk purchase stores within a 30 minute drive from my house which can come in handy for some purchasing power (pillow sized bag of oregano anyone? No I did NOT buy a big bag of oregano). Things like flour, rice, and pasta are cheaper bought in big stinkin' bags, especially if its is something the family uses a lot of, like we do.
Can anyone devise a way for my kids to like and eat brown rice? Please? They just hate it and I have tried everything I can think of. Its better for them but they like white/parboiled nutritional wasteland type rice. NO I did not buy a big bag of brown rice. Just white "boulangerie" flour and a bulk buy of baking yeast to store in the freezer and refill my fridge bottle of yeast. I have slackened on the baking and am picking it back up to fill the Snack monsters that live here. Now I am out of Whole Wheat flour . GRR.
I recieved the wool for mom's sweater sleeves last week and they are on the needles and coming along just fine. Yay!
I accidentally came home with the last 3 skeins of grey Cestari 2 ply sock wool on Saturday. I can't help myself. I had store credit and it was screaming to be used and it was the last 3 skeins of light beautiful rustic looking grey. So soft and smooshy.
Ok...that is all. Be well my darlings and consider yourselves well and truly hugged and appreciated.
Ok...in a nutshell then. Meeting not too bad. Still have job still have income. Good. Job will change and cuts are coming that will make the job still less of a funfest..not so good.
Budgetting for this househiold will continue to tighten because it just makes good sense to get a grip on our debt load and spending habits...This is GOOD. Except when I want to go to a bookstore or yarn shop, although in my own defense I have not used household money on yarn for sometime. I found 3 bulk purchase stores within a 30 minute drive from my house which can come in handy for some purchasing power (pillow sized bag of oregano anyone? No I did NOT buy a big bag of oregano). Things like flour, rice, and pasta are cheaper bought in big stinkin' bags, especially if its is something the family uses a lot of, like we do.
Can anyone devise a way for my kids to like and eat brown rice? Please? They just hate it and I have tried everything I can think of. Its better for them but they like white/parboiled nutritional wasteland type rice. NO I did not buy a big bag of brown rice. Just white "boulangerie" flour and a bulk buy of baking yeast to store in the freezer and refill my fridge bottle of yeast. I have slackened on the baking and am picking it back up to fill the Snack monsters that live here. Now I am out of Whole Wheat flour . GRR.
I recieved the wool for mom's sweater sleeves last week and they are on the needles and coming along just fine. Yay!
I accidentally came home with the last 3 skeins of grey Cestari 2 ply sock wool on Saturday. I can't help myself. I had store credit and it was screaming to be used and it was the last 3 skeins of light beautiful rustic looking grey. So soft and smooshy.
Ok...that is all. Be well my darlings and consider yourselves well and truly hugged and appreciated.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Update:
We had some good news today that would indicate that tomorrows meetinmg is NOT the worst case scenario we were steeling ourselves for. We could be wrong but don't think so.
Anyway, today's good news was that we will be attending the company conference this year like we did in 2007. Destination? Puerto Rico!! Holy cats its exciting AND relieving! I think I spelled taht wrong but I don't care.
Budget improvements WILL continue because I think they should but itys with a happier heart withthe feeling odf impending doom seemingly lifted. Please be lifted.
Ok..gotta go. I have bread rising and gotta pick up a kiddo from after school homework group. Thanks to my many friends who have made th last few days bearable with wuise words and laughter. Big kisses all 'round! Mwah!
Anyway, today's good news was that we will be attending the company conference this year like we did in 2007. Destination? Puerto Rico!! Holy cats its exciting AND relieving! I think I spelled taht wrong but I don't care.
Budget improvements WILL continue because I think they should but itys with a happier heart withthe feeling odf impending doom seemingly lifted. Please be lifted.
Ok..gotta go. I have bread rising and gotta pick up a kiddo from after school homework group. Thanks to my many friends who have made th last few days bearable with wuise words and laughter. Big kisses all 'round! Mwah!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
What day is this???
The kids have been on their winter break vacation and until this minute I have been thinking its Sunday. Duh. I blame Newman. He woke us at 4 AM with insistant meowing and walking on the head, wanting someone to play. There were no takers. The sleep after this was fraught with full body twitches, making kissy noises at the dog in my sleep( I was dreaming about trying to get Blossom's attention "Here girl..kissykissynoise" and woke myself up with the kissy kissy noise), and biting my own tongue (dreaming about chewing gum)HARD and waking up with a curse word or 3.
Then Newman started up again at 8 am. Then I gave up. The worrying started again and my stomach is hurting some.
Yesterday Hman got the message that his immediate superior was flying in this week to meet with him. It sounds out of the prdinary and thus has an ominous ring to it. Whether its a lay off or job change with pay reduction is unknown at this point. Its the uncertainty thats stomach acid inducing to me. I like to have a clear path, or at least as clear as possible. Too many unknowns in our stability make my stomach hurt.
It must be affecting Blossom too because she is a farting machine the last two days.. UGH! P.U! I think I will change her food...the stuff I buy now is way too expensive for our budget these day anyway, not to mention makes her fart worse than a bulldog,and has done nothing for her skin and emissions in a positive way. Time to try something new/cheaper. Go back to grocery store food? No. But a better than grocery store food diet is better than none at all. The cats will stay as they are because I do see improvement for them over cheaper brands in their out puts and skin and coats.
Does anyone have a homemade bread recipe thats good for slicing and toasting? Apparently mine sucks for toasting because it crumbles too much. I think just changing the flour or adding some gluten would help but I thought I'd put the call out for a better recipe just incase. Bread at the stores here doesn't tend to go for less than 2.50 a loaf for whole wheat and we used to pay about a buck or so at the bakery outlet shops back home. I thought I start baking again if I can get the loaves to be toast worthy.
Then Newman started up again at 8 am. Then I gave up. The worrying started again and my stomach is hurting some.
Yesterday Hman got the message that his immediate superior was flying in this week to meet with him. It sounds out of the prdinary and thus has an ominous ring to it. Whether its a lay off or job change with pay reduction is unknown at this point. Its the uncertainty thats stomach acid inducing to me. I like to have a clear path, or at least as clear as possible. Too many unknowns in our stability make my stomach hurt.
It must be affecting Blossom too because she is a farting machine the last two days.. UGH! P.U! I think I will change her food...the stuff I buy now is way too expensive for our budget these day anyway, not to mention makes her fart worse than a bulldog,and has done nothing for her skin and emissions in a positive way. Time to try something new/cheaper. Go back to grocery store food? No. But a better than grocery store food diet is better than none at all. The cats will stay as they are because I do see improvement for them over cheaper brands in their out puts and skin and coats.
Does anyone have a homemade bread recipe thats good for slicing and toasting? Apparently mine sucks for toasting because it crumbles too much. I think just changing the flour or adding some gluten would help but I thought I'd put the call out for a better recipe just incase. Bread at the stores here doesn't tend to go for less than 2.50 a loaf for whole wheat and we used to pay about a buck or so at the bakery outlet shops back home. I thought I start baking again if I can get the loaves to be toast worthy.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Been Away..
But now we are back. Our trip to Valcartier was fun as usual and very tiring as usual. We forgot the camera in the car while at the Village des Vacances (DUH). We were all four of us tired to start with so the day didn't go as long as we would normally and we did NOT do the Everest slide/slope again. Too scary for me and the line up was insane. There were bus loads of teens there on school trips which made for much butting in line. WTF? There you are standing in line for the "lift" and these kids will walk right by and get into line ahead OR hop on the "lift" tube that you are standing and waiting for. I got sick of that RIGHT FAST! I called a couple on it and they were embarrassed and apologised heartily, so I know they don't all do it on purpose but still it was annoying as Hell to tell one's kids not to push ahead even if it LOOKS like you can, and then have people do it and not suffer consequences. Message to the 3 teenage girls who KNOWINgLY cut in line for the raft run ahead of our family...karma is a bitch and it will come back to you some day. somehow. Maybe when YOUR kids have to wait another 10 to 15 minutes because some teenaged snots cut ahead of them.
Other than that the trip was pretty good. Visited in laws for dinner and had a nice time and enjoyed the pool at the hotel somewhat. I think we have become spoiled becaus ethe hotel isn't as wondeful as we first found it to be 3 plus years ago. Its getting a little worn and their ssytems crash often, the TVs in the rooms are pretty old and there is no pay per view that we could find for when one can finally crash out and relax and would like something other than French language TV to watch.
We went to les Galleries Des Capitale, whicvh is a good mall in Qc city area. It has an indoor fun park with a small rollercoaster, gorgeous vintage carrousel, ice skating rink, mini put etc. See, Monday the weather was bad so rather than hit Valcartier then, we spent the afternoon at the mall having some fun and yes, a little bit of shopping. I got a facial cleansing bar at LUSH that may settle my middle aged acne prone skin down, and a sweater on sale at Additionelle. Yay! The kids got a used car charger for the DS Lite. There were very few sales which we found unusual with Spring approaching.
Which brings us to what everyone is blathering about : the economy. Its has far reaching effect on everyone, some more than others. Chez Nous, we do feel it because Hman works in finance (how ironic)and is getting a little stressed in regards to his position and his earning power for the coming year (bonuses will be small or even non-existant, depending). As a result we are trying to tighten our belts. We know we can do it...for heaven's sake, we had two babies in diapers and me at home on a fraction of what he now earns. But our bills were lower as was our debt. SO, priority one is now trying to reduce our debt and get spending back under control. These go hand in hand.
In someways it was easier before when we had a smaller income. The kids drank formula and little kid food. NOW Cam is a bottomless pit 10 year old and Ben is a finicky almost pre-teen. The grocery shopping I used to do doesn't cut it now plus, hello, prices are higher. And groceries are a HUGE part of our budget that we can gain firmer control of. I am looking back to my Frugal Living days with nostalgia ( I was awesome at cutting costs and freeing up monthly monies)and rereading my Tightwad Gazette anthology for inspiration. Am I willing to make my own laundry detergent again?
Another problem is that with our better rate of pay has come the desire to settle less for cut rate nutrition and products. Rather than plain store brand whole wheat bread, we like to buy the more nutritious multigrain breads etc, Smart pasta, etc etc. I don't like buying a lot of snack foods other than popcorn,fruit, and cheese. The kids love crackers etc for snacking but I try to only buy these on sale. Hman gets tired of chicken if we have it too often even if its cost effective. I am going to have to find the energy and time to make up a monthly menu and food budget for March to cut grocery store visits way back. Fewer trips to the store means we won't impulse buy as often. Also, I would love to find a source of whole white flour here like I used in NS (Speerville Mills of New Brunswick rocked my world with their organic flour for my home baking)and start baking again to fill the snack gap. I just haven't enjoyed baking as much in my teensy kitchen like I did in my old more spacious one. Its not only food though. Rather than the cheapest product on the shelf we have been spending more on better quality or more responsible products (chlorine and phosphate free dish washing products, lower impact laundry products etc, nicer bath and body products). It adds up more than one would think. Plus the thrift shopping here is not as good as back home for the children's clothes (I miss you Frenchy's!!!) and I have been paying retail much more than I used to but not as much as I probably should by the looks of some of the boys clothes.
So, these are the things that are on my mind other than knitting. On that front, ther eis little change. I await the "old lady pink" yarn in the mail and I casted on a pair of socks from stash in the car on Sunday for easy car knitting (turned the heel of sock one yesterday before I lost daylight on the trip home). The Nordic mitten goes slowly because I find it hard to sit still and focus on it and then I remember I will need to knit another one and think that this may be my only pair I ever knit despite my admiration for them. Newman's cat bed comes along somewhat slowly but is nearing completion. This is excellent TV and knit night knitting because of the big yarn and knitting in the round. Plus its a cat bed...if I make a boo boo who gives a poop? Its nice to have something that you don't need to stress over.
Other than that the trip was pretty good. Visited in laws for dinner and had a nice time and enjoyed the pool at the hotel somewhat. I think we have become spoiled becaus ethe hotel isn't as wondeful as we first found it to be 3 plus years ago. Its getting a little worn and their ssytems crash often, the TVs in the rooms are pretty old and there is no pay per view that we could find for when one can finally crash out and relax and would like something other than French language TV to watch.
We went to les Galleries Des Capitale, whicvh is a good mall in Qc city area. It has an indoor fun park with a small rollercoaster, gorgeous vintage carrousel, ice skating rink, mini put etc. See, Monday the weather was bad so rather than hit Valcartier then, we spent the afternoon at the mall having some fun and yes, a little bit of shopping. I got a facial cleansing bar at LUSH that may settle my middle aged acne prone skin down, and a sweater on sale at Additionelle. Yay! The kids got a used car charger for the DS Lite. There were very few sales which we found unusual with Spring approaching.
Which brings us to what everyone is blathering about : the economy. Its has far reaching effect on everyone, some more than others. Chez Nous, we do feel it because Hman works in finance (how ironic)and is getting a little stressed in regards to his position and his earning power for the coming year (bonuses will be small or even non-existant, depending). As a result we are trying to tighten our belts. We know we can do it...for heaven's sake, we had two babies in diapers and me at home on a fraction of what he now earns. But our bills were lower as was our debt. SO, priority one is now trying to reduce our debt and get spending back under control. These go hand in hand.
In someways it was easier before when we had a smaller income. The kids drank formula and little kid food. NOW Cam is a bottomless pit 10 year old and Ben is a finicky almost pre-teen. The grocery shopping I used to do doesn't cut it now plus, hello, prices are higher. And groceries are a HUGE part of our budget that we can gain firmer control of. I am looking back to my Frugal Living days with nostalgia ( I was awesome at cutting costs and freeing up monthly monies)and rereading my Tightwad Gazette anthology for inspiration. Am I willing to make my own laundry detergent again?
Another problem is that with our better rate of pay has come the desire to settle less for cut rate nutrition and products. Rather than plain store brand whole wheat bread, we like to buy the more nutritious multigrain breads etc, Smart pasta, etc etc. I don't like buying a lot of snack foods other than popcorn,fruit, and cheese. The kids love crackers etc for snacking but I try to only buy these on sale. Hman gets tired of chicken if we have it too often even if its cost effective. I am going to have to find the energy and time to make up a monthly menu and food budget for March to cut grocery store visits way back. Fewer trips to the store means we won't impulse buy as often. Also, I would love to find a source of whole white flour here like I used in NS (Speerville Mills of New Brunswick rocked my world with their organic flour for my home baking)and start baking again to fill the snack gap. I just haven't enjoyed baking as much in my teensy kitchen like I did in my old more spacious one. Its not only food though. Rather than the cheapest product on the shelf we have been spending more on better quality or more responsible products (chlorine and phosphate free dish washing products, lower impact laundry products etc, nicer bath and body products). It adds up more than one would think. Plus the thrift shopping here is not as good as back home for the children's clothes (I miss you Frenchy's!!!) and I have been paying retail much more than I used to but not as much as I probably should by the looks of some of the boys clothes.
So, these are the things that are on my mind other than knitting. On that front, ther eis little change. I await the "old lady pink" yarn in the mail and I casted on a pair of socks from stash in the car on Sunday for easy car knitting (turned the heel of sock one yesterday before I lost daylight on the trip home). The Nordic mitten goes slowly because I find it hard to sit still and focus on it and then I remember I will need to knit another one and think that this may be my only pair I ever knit despite my admiration for them. Newman's cat bed comes along somewhat slowly but is nearing completion. This is excellent TV and knit night knitting because of the big yarn and knitting in the round. Plus its a cat bed...if I make a boo boo who gives a poop? Its nice to have something that you don't need to stress over.
Friday, February 20, 2009
On TV for a second...
Be Green with Geeta Nadkharni on CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/newsatsixmontreal/begreen/
Ginette and I are getting our hair done with henna. Click where it says "Watch" witha little movie camera icon. I can never get the link thing on here to work, so you'll have to cut and paste the address.
Ginette and I are getting our hair done with henna. Click where it says "Watch" witha little movie camera icon. I can never get the link thing on here to work, so you'll have to cut and paste the address.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Happy incident
I have been searching online for the yarn to continue my mother's sweater and have not been meeting with any success. For almost 3 weeks the search has gone and I said I'd give it a month and then find a way to continue it somehow.
Good luck struck today when a person on Ravelry told me online that she'd seen the brand and colour on sale at an online yarn store (Ram Wools of Winnipeg). I emailed to find out the dye lot and oh my stars and little oysters, its the PERFECT match. Same dye lot as I have. Not only that but its on wicked good sale ($4.99 each!!) I am so relieved. I wanted to make this sweater as perfect as possible and running out of the main colour is NOT very nice. Any solution bandied about would work, but in my head it made the sweater look like I'd run out of my main colour, not a design feature.
THANK YOU ALIBEE AND RAM WOOLS!!! I am so relieved I could cry.
Good luck struck today when a person on Ravelry told me online that she'd seen the brand and colour on sale at an online yarn store (Ram Wools of Winnipeg). I emailed to find out the dye lot and oh my stars and little oysters, its the PERFECT match. Same dye lot as I have. Not only that but its on wicked good sale ($4.99 each!!) I am so relieved. I wanted to make this sweater as perfect as possible and running out of the main colour is NOT very nice. Any solution bandied about would work, but in my head it made the sweater look like I'd run out of my main colour, not a design feature.
THANK YOU ALIBEE AND RAM WOOLS!!! I am so relieved I could cry.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Shock! and Aawwwww.
My oldest girlfriend..wait that came out wrong... My friend that I have had longest and still have regular contact with..thats better..Julie, seen above in a Boxing day photo, got ENGAGED on Valentine's day!!!!
The ring is divine and her man seems normal and all but I have never met him in person. This is very hard on an old friend, to not KNOW the guy. He's a stranger. I know a lot about him from Julie but he is an unknown quantity in reality. What will this mean for our friendship, because her last husband was a big barrier in that respect and it was only after he was gone that I got MY Julie back, in place of the married Stepford Julie that had taken her place. shudder
I trust her judgement this time around though. Even if he is a Baptist.
Monday, February 16, 2009
O..M..G...
Watched some HBO tonight. Right America: Feeling Wronged .
I've never seen so many stupid people on one show except for maybe Jackass, and I have never watched Jackass so I guess I have never seen so many stupid people on one show.
'Nuff said.
I've never seen so many stupid people on one show except for maybe Jackass, and I have never watched Jackass so I guess I have never seen so many stupid people on one show.
'Nuff said.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Apres V Day
Pictorial: the finished thick wool socks were mine for about an hour. Now they are Ben's. A display of how to wear a Ragdoll(self portrait), Ben's handsome face before the dance last week, the Monkey Wrench quilt block pattern for a quilt I am making. I think it looks ok...what do you think?
It was a low key but pleasantish day for us yesterday, the 14th. Only one or two episodes marred our family trip to Chapters and they ended with two yound men being sent to their rooms for an hour or so. Grrrrrrr....
I got a couple of books I'd heard about on other's blogs (or is it others blog's?). Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann and The Lace Reader by Brugnonia Barry. I finished TBF last night and it was an enjoyable read. A murder mystery about a shepherd's death from the perspective and crime solving capabilities of the flock of sheep. Well written with some humour. I recommend it to anyone who has loved sheep.
Today may include more sewing...or a trip to the science center. Its still up in the air.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
25 random things tag
!:I hate being tagged for these things.
@: I have much trivia in my brain but never what a person needs at the time.
#: Have an annoying habit of bursting into song, changing words to suit the setting/situation.
$: I think teachers should be required rock a 98% average in SPELLING before they are allowed to teach our children. Oh yes I did say that.
%: I know I am using symbols instead of numbers..your point is?
^: I love my children but sometimes I don't like them so much (like when they scream and yell and fight..). I'm pretty sure they feel the same way (like when I say no to candy for breakfast....)
&: I am one of the most annoying people I know.
*: My husband adores me for some strange reason and it appears to be getting worse. I am slightly nervous that this means he has a girlfriend somewhere...HA! As IF!!!
(: I cry very easily at movies etc but in my personal life I find it difficult to cry SO when I cry about a sad movie, I can't seem to stop and become very sad for a while. its like a dam letting loose and its all gotta come out before the dam goes back up. The dam named Paxil.
): I wish I was thin but I keep eating.
!): My mental picture of my self is much prettier than the reality... the gut and double chin are much smaller....
!!: I like it when someone tells me I am pretty but I don't believe them...still like it though.
!@: I have a long list of pet peeves: people who need drama; people who talk about their old relationships ALL THE TIME even when they have a new one; people who allow others to fill their lives with drama that THEY then have to natter on and on about instead of ditching the problem causing person "becaaaauuussse..."; people who are cold and unfriendly but don't have the balls to tell you why (aka passive aggressives); passive aggressive people and their whining; whining; people who give you their whole life's story (especially the stuff you REALLY don't want to know) when you barely know them, and then you can't get what they told you outta your head so you avoid them; potholes and what they do to my suspension; haters; cry babies; old people who think the world owes them somethin' ,cuz they are still alive sucking the CPP dry, even if they are assholes; my mother, but I still love her; people that blame THEIR failings on other..failure to take responsibility for their actions..to own their shit. I think this covers most of the peeves...
!#: I have a friendly relationship with alcohol. We were MUCH closer at one time but now its only a passing acquaintance and sometimes I am sad we've lost touch. We do occassionally have lovely spontaneous reunions though.
!$: My mum says that when I was a child my freshly washed, dried, and brushed hair shone like a bright new penny.
!%: This is the same woman that told me at 16 that I had no ankles. I HAD NO IDEA UNTIL SHE SAID IT!
!^: This is also the same woman that said that she thinks the way my hair grows makes it look like a wig. Why do I love this woman?
!&: I think I am physically incapable of NOT having a smart ass remark. Even if I don't say one, I usually have it in my head and it hurts to keep the snickers inside.
!*: I like cats ALOT. Not so much their litter boxes.
!(: My dog farts way too much. Speaking of which....Jebus, Blossom!!!
@): I have a BA in English Lit with a very shitty grade point average.
@!: I would like to get into voice acting for cartoons etc. I have a couple good ones. It would satisfy my Theatrical tendencies (see bursting into song, smart ass remarks..) left over from drama club in high school that were never pursued after wards due to low self esteem. OR Musical theater!! OH YEAH BABY!!
@@: I am very into ecological and environmentally friendly living but could do much much better. My family sometimes calls me a hippie and I am ok with that. I have the Birkenstocks to prove it now...
@#: I take on too many projects and get few done but this is getting better. I am trying harder to put the brakes on before getting over whelmed.
@$: I wish I had a cleaning lady but would be embarrassed for her to see how messy/grubby my house can get in just 3 short days.
@%: I have a very unreliable memory even for important things. I could remember an appointment up until a couple hours before hand, and then completely forget about it until reminded. If i were my dentist's office, I'd drop me as a patient for all the missed appointments and reschedulings. And its not as if i have other more important things like a job or anything. I just simply have a very slippery mind. I forget medications, treatments, appointments, what my husband tells me about his schedule, what my kids tell me about their schedules, to buy a new calendar to write these scheduling things on to, doesn't matter cuz I forget to check the calendar, I make lists and then forget to look at them OR lose them completely,....see what I mean? I AM just a ditzy as people think I am, but not stupid. There is a difference.
@: I have much trivia in my brain but never what a person needs at the time.
#: Have an annoying habit of bursting into song, changing words to suit the setting/situation.
$: I think teachers should be required rock a 98% average in SPELLING before they are allowed to teach our children. Oh yes I did say that.
%: I know I am using symbols instead of numbers..your point is?
^: I love my children but sometimes I don't like them so much (like when they scream and yell and fight..). I'm pretty sure they feel the same way (like when I say no to candy for breakfast....)
&: I am one of the most annoying people I know.
*: My husband adores me for some strange reason and it appears to be getting worse. I am slightly nervous that this means he has a girlfriend somewhere...HA! As IF!!!
(: I cry very easily at movies etc but in my personal life I find it difficult to cry SO when I cry about a sad movie, I can't seem to stop and become very sad for a while. its like a dam letting loose and its all gotta come out before the dam goes back up. The dam named Paxil.
): I wish I was thin but I keep eating.
!): My mental picture of my self is much prettier than the reality... the gut and double chin are much smaller....
!!: I like it when someone tells me I am pretty but I don't believe them...still like it though.
!@: I have a long list of pet peeves: people who need drama; people who talk about their old relationships ALL THE TIME even when they have a new one; people who allow others to fill their lives with drama that THEY then have to natter on and on about instead of ditching the problem causing person "becaaaauuussse..."; people who are cold and unfriendly but don't have the balls to tell you why (aka passive aggressives); passive aggressive people and their whining; whining; people who give you their whole life's story (especially the stuff you REALLY don't want to know) when you barely know them, and then you can't get what they told you outta your head so you avoid them; potholes and what they do to my suspension; haters; cry babies; old people who think the world owes them somethin' ,cuz they are still alive sucking the CPP dry, even if they are assholes; my mother, but I still love her; people that blame THEIR failings on other..failure to take responsibility for their actions..to own their shit. I think this covers most of the peeves...
!#: I have a friendly relationship with alcohol. We were MUCH closer at one time but now its only a passing acquaintance and sometimes I am sad we've lost touch. We do occassionally have lovely spontaneous reunions though.
!$: My mum says that when I was a child my freshly washed, dried, and brushed hair shone like a bright new penny.
!%: This is the same woman that told me at 16 that I had no ankles. I HAD NO IDEA UNTIL SHE SAID IT!
!^: This is also the same woman that said that she thinks the way my hair grows makes it look like a wig. Why do I love this woman?
!&: I think I am physically incapable of NOT having a smart ass remark. Even if I don't say one, I usually have it in my head and it hurts to keep the snickers inside.
!*: I like cats ALOT. Not so much their litter boxes.
!(: My dog farts way too much. Speaking of which....Jebus, Blossom!!!
@): I have a BA in English Lit with a very shitty grade point average.
@!: I would like to get into voice acting for cartoons etc. I have a couple good ones. It would satisfy my Theatrical tendencies (see bursting into song, smart ass remarks..) left over from drama club in high school that were never pursued after wards due to low self esteem. OR Musical theater!! OH YEAH BABY!!
@@: I am very into ecological and environmentally friendly living but could do much much better. My family sometimes calls me a hippie and I am ok with that. I have the Birkenstocks to prove it now...
@#: I take on too many projects and get few done but this is getting better. I am trying harder to put the brakes on before getting over whelmed.
@$: I wish I had a cleaning lady but would be embarrassed for her to see how messy/grubby my house can get in just 3 short days.
@%: I have a very unreliable memory even for important things. I could remember an appointment up until a couple hours before hand, and then completely forget about it until reminded. If i were my dentist's office, I'd drop me as a patient for all the missed appointments and reschedulings. And its not as if i have other more important things like a job or anything. I just simply have a very slippery mind. I forget medications, treatments, appointments, what my husband tells me about his schedule, what my kids tell me about their schedules, to buy a new calendar to write these scheduling things on to, doesn't matter cuz I forget to check the calendar, I make lists and then forget to look at them OR lose them completely,....see what I mean? I AM just a ditzy as people think I am, but not stupid. There is a difference.
Thursday-itis
That is what I am going to call today's condition. Hamster brain on a Thursday is what it boils down to. I have spent most of my waking hours online browsing a chatting with a family member (thats good RIGHT? She's far away from me now and I miss her...). then I went shopping for groceries but that also turned into a stop at a fabric store within biking distance of my house! Well, its walking distance too but biking would be faster except today I was driving.
ANYWAY, I got 4 fabrics to coordinate somewhat with something in my fabric stash and as soon as they are washed and dry, work can commence on a quilt for Hman. Tah Dah! Its very hard to make a mankly coloured quilt and NOT have floral fabrics because almost all the effin' prints out there are Guess what? FLORALS. Good thing he is secure in his masculinity and that wee bit of pink on that print? I thought it was rust in the store....sorry.
Work goes slowly on the Selbuvotter Annemor #13. Mostly because I haven't been working very hard on it. Oopsy.
Cam has a birthday sleep over tonight and Hman will be later getting home so Ben and I are having a mother/son date night. Frozen pizza, ginger ale, Oreo Jello Pudding, popcorn, snuggles, and a movie . All his faves.
I was speaking with my niece and I will reveal what has come to the attention of my small brain, upon self observation.
I make friends easily. i kind of always have. whether I keep them or not always remains to be seen...I'm not a "Once you are my pall you are my pal fporever and evers" kind of person. I DO have friends that have known and loved (?) me for over 20 years. thats true, but i also have had friends that some how either didn't make the cut because they turned out to be perhaps not so worthy as thought OR vice versa.
This applies to internet friendships too.
So, I was looking at myself in retrospect and it would seem that from my shy start as a child to the person I am now, I have evolved into the social equivalent of a leg humping Golden Retriever. Extremely forward and friendly, never met a stranger, and almost always inappropriate. So far it seems to be working for me but you know? Who wants to be known as a leg humping Golden Retriever of the social world enthusiastically bounding around until a panting drooling mass? Not sexy at all.
Should I aspire to become a suspicious and coldly terrifying Siamese and shred all newcomers to pieces? Heaven forbid. Plus my claws are not that sharp.
It is a conundrum wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a piece of scotch tape that I can't find the end of, thats what it is. And the hamster on the wheel goes 'round and 'round, and the hamster on the wheel goes 'round....
Why are hamster's called hamsters anyway...why not tailess mice? Does hamster mean tailess mouse?
Please someone...make it stop...!
ANYWAY, I got 4 fabrics to coordinate somewhat with something in my fabric stash and as soon as they are washed and dry, work can commence on a quilt for Hman. Tah Dah! Its very hard to make a mankly coloured quilt and NOT have floral fabrics because almost all the effin' prints out there are Guess what? FLORALS. Good thing he is secure in his masculinity and that wee bit of pink on that print? I thought it was rust in the store....sorry.
Work goes slowly on the Selbuvotter Annemor #13. Mostly because I haven't been working very hard on it. Oopsy.
Cam has a birthday sleep over tonight and Hman will be later getting home so Ben and I are having a mother/son date night. Frozen pizza, ginger ale, Oreo Jello Pudding, popcorn, snuggles, and a movie . All his faves.
I was speaking with my niece and I will reveal what has come to the attention of my small brain, upon self observation.
I make friends easily. i kind of always have. whether I keep them or not always remains to be seen...I'm not a "Once you are my pall you are my pal fporever and evers" kind of person. I DO have friends that have known and loved (?) me for over 20 years. thats true, but i also have had friends that some how either didn't make the cut because they turned out to be perhaps not so worthy as thought OR vice versa.
This applies to internet friendships too.
So, I was looking at myself in retrospect and it would seem that from my shy start as a child to the person I am now, I have evolved into the social equivalent of a leg humping Golden Retriever. Extremely forward and friendly, never met a stranger, and almost always inappropriate. So far it seems to be working for me but you know? Who wants to be known as a leg humping Golden Retriever of the social world enthusiastically bounding around until a panting drooling mass? Not sexy at all.
Should I aspire to become a suspicious and coldly terrifying Siamese and shred all newcomers to pieces? Heaven forbid. Plus my claws are not that sharp.
It is a conundrum wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a piece of scotch tape that I can't find the end of, thats what it is. And the hamster on the wheel goes 'round and 'round, and the hamster on the wheel goes 'round....
Why are hamster's called hamsters anyway...why not tailess mice? Does hamster mean tailess mouse?
Please someone...make it stop...!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Knitting, baking, blah blah
The Snowdrift mitten and I are not getting along . Progress has halted and been ripped out. I will choose a new pattern to work on that has fewer stitches between use of the yarns. Snowdrift required dealing with long spaces of single colour and I don't like it. My gauge went all to shit and I tired of untangling my yarns so much.
I created a yummy muffin yesterday. The only measurements I can give are 3 oranges and 3 eggs because I didn't have to measure that. Other ingredients include quick oats soaked in orange juice, dried cranberries, crushed sliced almonds, flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, oil,and vanilla. The oranges are chopped in the food processor whole and make for a nice orange muffin experience.
Child One had pushed every button I have last night and this morning and I think it is a testement to my love for my children that I haven't shipped him off to boarding school or something. It may be a pull the covers over my head and cry day.
I created a yummy muffin yesterday. The only measurements I can give are 3 oranges and 3 eggs because I didn't have to measure that. Other ingredients include quick oats soaked in orange juice, dried cranberries, crushed sliced almonds, flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, oil,and vanilla. The oranges are chopped in the food processor whole and make for a nice orange muffin experience.
Child One had pushed every button I have last night and this morning and I think it is a testement to my love for my children that I haven't shipped him off to boarding school or something. It may be a pull the covers over my head and cry day.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Discussion and rambling.....
I am given over to thoughts and plans for 2009. What I would like to accomplish or have accomplished by someone else in my wee corner of the 'verse. Yes, it is time once again to ponder on the home and garden plans for the coming year.
First off is the VETO: there will NOT be a hot tub installed in the back yard and for that I am grateful. While hot water and outdoors is extremely pleasant, the reality of the hydro bills and up keep at minus 30 Celcius are nasty. We had a taste of hot tubbin' at Xmas and it was nice but not so addictive that we MUST have one. So there is one item OFF the list.
Another VETO was the jackhammering away of the cement pad in the back yard that was the foundation/floor of the gazebo. The frame is still there bolted to the cement, but the canvas rotted and ripped and is no more. Someone promises that the frame will be gone in the early Spring as soon as out door work starts. I have said it must be because if I have to go try MY hands at it it will cost much more to fix what I wreck in the process. But the cement must stay and Someone has plans to disguise its uglines and perhaps install a garden fountain. Agreement was made on the frame situation and we moved on down our mutual lists.
Back yard Renovations will continue in 2009. Last Spring saw the mini deck and swing by the pool and the joy they brought (and the knitting and napping that took place on the swing) and this year will bring the larger "living area" deck nearer the house, to have comfy out door furnishing (or just the table, umbrella, and chairs) and the BBQ. This will be immediately adjacent the Kitchen Garden and its lovelies.
The Kitchen Garden needs revamping, refilling, refinishing and the composter needs to be re-installed much more solidly than last time. The herb bed was neglected sadly. Why do I grow them but not use them as much as I should, reaching forgetfully for the jars of dried herbs, forgetting to preserve the bounty of herbs for winter use. All that flavour, life, and money wasted. Will do better this year and harvest more and preserve more. This I do vow. Cilantro will ne'er bolt needlessly and uselessly under my watch again.
The Raspberry plot needs pruning BIG TIME. There are big pieces in there that are useless and the whole thing maya as well be sheareed back to increase productivity and keep things within bounds. Also, a lot of mulch needs to be laid down to control the weed growth around the bed, making accessiblity a bone of contention.
The front yard: Oy Vay, the front garden needs a fine tuning. More mulch and compost needs to be trucked in and dispersed, the weeding kept up with, and pruning/deadheading needs to be done more regularly. Plants need shuffling and some need to go bubye. I wish I had an expert in garden design to help with plant selection and placement to make the jungle more of what I envisioned, more thecottage garden of my dreams that complements the house. Also, someone has determined that he hates hollyhocks and they must go.....maybe I will move them out back. New trellises need building or purchasing for the front door clematises. More Spring bulbs need to be planted in the Fall, Tulips and Daffs especially becaus ethe new gardens beds have none. My Morden Ruby roses need severe cutting back and I think Elle tea rose, in all her beauty, needs to be moved so that she is better appreciated. And maybe more of her should be added to the gardens because the blooms are exquisite and dependable.
The half dead Cedar that I moved to the other side of the drive way has got to go. It is so fugly is sad. A new tree should be added there, something not too tall. Redbud has been dismissed as not hardy here, so what should I put? Locust? Crab Apple? Another Sumac? Need that imaginary landscape designer friend again.
OR should I dig out a border along the edge of the drive, back fill with compost and plant annuals every year? Or plant with dayliliies? Holy pile of work.....
In the home, Cammie's room shall be painted and his crap window treatments replaced with Roman Blinds. This can be done before the outdoor works commence. 2010 has been deemed either Kitchen Year or Bathroom year...not sure which. All three roooms are nasty but who shall be reconstructed? That is a decision for later days.
And the plus to the back yard reno is that we shall start actually inviting people over to partake of the space and liquid refreshments. Hman has such a social job that he doesn't want to instigate such happeneings, which i misunderstood as not wanting to partake of. there fore it was determined that If I instigate social happening he's will enjoy and help out with them, not hide in the basement. A breakthrough! Communication is a good thing when such misunderstandings are cleared up and new enthusiasm for life brought out! Yay!
This summer, certain people should watch their inboxes for invites to them and their family units. Summer Life will be sweet.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sigh
Time flies.
3 hours on the sofa with 2 bottles of wine, candles, and a fire in the woodstove. Snuggling, talking, and reconnecting. Life is good on evenings like this.
3 hours on the sofa with 2 bottles of wine, candles, and a fire in the woodstove. Snuggling, talking, and reconnecting. Life is good on evenings like this.
Saturday afternoons...
I have wasted away the entire day thus far. I got up late, lounged with coffee and The Debaters on CBC Radio One, chatted with Mum on the phone, read some newspaper, ate, knit, cuddled cat, cleaned bathroom, and surfed the 'net. I am one lazy beotch, non?
Blossom's grooming appointment got cancelled until two weeks plus from now...I may find another groomer. :o( She deserves the attention she gets after she's clean and shaved and non-smelly and non-uber-shaggy and its been a long while. She in full coat and smelliness now, not that she stinks but its just that doggy aroma one doesn't love so much.
Hman is a bump on a log today. All suggestions of outings were met with the same disinterest and blase attitude, yet he was irritable and discontented in the house. He's having a nap now. I think he's still suffering from his burn out. No interest in his usually winter activities like skiing etc. None whatsoever. Its weird and sad.
I casted on my Snowdrift mitten and have cahnged the cast-on to the 60 stitches called for in the hand increases. I think it was designed for little gnomes rather than full growed women. Maybe be a problem and means I coulda made it with a heavier yarn after all instead of dyeing and buying yarns.
Oh well....
Blossom's grooming appointment got cancelled until two weeks plus from now...I may find another groomer. :o( She deserves the attention she gets after she's clean and shaved and non-smelly and non-uber-shaggy and its been a long while. She in full coat and smelliness now, not that she stinks but its just that doggy aroma one doesn't love so much.
Hman is a bump on a log today. All suggestions of outings were met with the same disinterest and blase attitude, yet he was irritable and discontented in the house. He's having a nap now. I think he's still suffering from his burn out. No interest in his usually winter activities like skiing etc. None whatsoever. Its weird and sad.
I casted on my Snowdrift mitten and have cahnged the cast-on to the 60 stitches called for in the hand increases. I think it was designed for little gnomes rather than full growed women. Maybe be a problem and means I coulda made it with a heavier yarn after all instead of dyeing and buying yarns.
Oh well....
Be careful what you wish for....
Tonight I was going on an adventure. With my dear pal I was going to a show called Stand Up/ Strip Down, a stand up comedy and burlesque production. I was excited because I was going with a fun friend and I have never been to a burlesque show. It was gonna be a hoot.
Well, it started out according to plan. Then when I got to the friend's place to pick her up there was no place to park except the side of the street slated for snow removal. No plows were around and I thought I'd have time to leave before they came.
WRONG! We came out and NO CAR. Towed.
So we flag down a plow and askl what to do....he says call the city. So we called and they said it would have been tickete and towed to a near by street but it wasn't in the computer yet and all we could do is walk around and try to find it.
That got tired after about 40 minutes and we flagged a cab, finding the car quickly after that. Then we get downtown, and hour late for the show and there is nowhere to park. No where...snow removal tags were up and we couldn't risk another towing evn though they'd cleared the snow already. We even double checked with the city but the guy on the phone didn't recommend taking the chance.
So we headed back to the apartment for tea and cookies and tug of war with the dog and kitty cuddles and good conversation unti her husband came home from work and I figured it was time to head home, being close to midnight.
So, I was psyched for an adventure....just not the one I got!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Progress....
I made it through the Weight Loss #1 program on my bike today for the 1st time. Thats 4 miles, baby.
I am proud of me.
I am proud of me.
How to Stay warm and reduce heating costs
Interesting! An article on Earth Easy http://eartheasy.com/article_stay_warm_save_energy.html
The Power Bill came.....
... and I am now furtively turning down all the thermostats and layering on more clothes. HOLY CRAP! Never seen a power bill that high before.
The plus side of turning the heat lower is that a hot cup of herbal tea will be so much more comforting. Ok I'm trying to put a happier face on this. Its been a cold winter and I got sick of been chilly all the time and set the 'stats at a crazed 20 degrees and left them there...NO SET BACK. The bedrooms were kept cooler of course, but the main floor has been at 20 for 3 weeks. I hope he doesn't catch on that its all my fault. I'm pretty sure that bigger TV has something to do with it too.
I better knit more socks.
The plus side of turning the heat lower is that a hot cup of herbal tea will be so much more comforting. Ok I'm trying to put a happier face on this. Its been a cold winter and I got sick of been chilly all the time and set the 'stats at a crazed 20 degrees and left them there...NO SET BACK. The bedrooms were kept cooler of course, but the main floor has been at 20 for 3 weeks. I hope he doesn't catch on that its all my fault. I'm pretty sure that bigger TV has something to do with it too.
I better knit more socks.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Afraid of the water
I watched a documentary tonight about the global jellyfish explosion in the worlds oceans...eeek! I always hated those little mutha uckers but now I am very afraid.....Wild Docs: Jellyfish Invasion http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/wilddocs/2009/jellyfishinvasion/
Hump day not humpin' day
Look at this gorgeous sweater worn in the Joan Of Arc episode of Women Warriors by Lucy Lawless. I love the green and the great cables, the comfy casual look and the lower neck line of the hoodie style. Pattern plz, interwebs!?
Yesterday I had the kids in the school lunch and after school program (known here as "service de garde") and so had the day to myself. I did an errand, gassed the depleted family locomotive device, and went to Marie Michelle's place for a date with her Wii Fit. I was also hoping for some Albie love (I adore other peoples babies when they are such happy little goobers as Albert( pronounced Al-bear, plz)). I arrived and to my dismay NO ALBIE!!! WTF! He and his next eldest sibling were at day care. I did meet the eldest child for the first time but it just wasn't the same.
I do have to say that Wii Fit is very fun and a teensy bit snarky. I'd like even more if it was juuuussst a pinch snarkier. hahaha I did a balance exercise and it asked me if I trip a lot when I walk. HA.
It calculated my body's age as being 9 years older than my chronological age, which I thought was too kind. After a session, it came down to a year younger than my age. So...if I did a lot of sessions would my Mii crawl back into the womb? Anyways, it was a very fun way to try some yoga poses and attempt step aerobics and strength training exercises. UNLIKE video work outs, it allows you to correct your poses and postures to have a greater effectiveness by having you center your "dot" in an area. I thought this was a dandy feature if a pinch distracting in some of that activities. All said, it's a fun toy!
After a lovely lunch I came home, started spaghetti sauce, and took a nap. Last night I biked and this time made it to 3 miles on the easiest Weight Loss program before I collapsed. I distracted myself from the experience by watching a show about Joan Of Arc on TV. Lucy Lawless hosted and she had on the loveliest cabled hoodie. I really liked it (the sweater not the biking)! I am pleased that I was able to push myself to the 3 mile mark.
Baby steps...
Monday, January 26, 2009
Stupid Power Outage
Our new torture device...I MEAN exercise bike the Nordic track 300 or something like that from Sears. Its awesomeness all wrapped up in "Ugh!Sweat! Eeeew..."
I had a big ol' posting about all the fascinating doin's here chez nous, and then the power went off for about 10 seconds. DANG.
To recap: Exercise bike is installed in family room. Verdict: its harder than I thought! I am even more out of shape than Jabba the Hutt. its is sad, sick and wrong to be this weak and I am aiming to remedy that.
Dishwasher needs replacing. Verdict: Easier than thought..it will arrive and become one with the house on Friday between 12 and 5 pm. Thank the gods of home appliances for Sears.
Rhinoviruses: I might have one..Verdict: could be allergies, who knows? whaddo I look like a doctor?
Knitting machine for sale from someone I know and trust. Verdict: Hman won't let me buy it even though I promised many speedy pairs of socks. Poohead. Stupid bills and debt and economic slowdown and being responsible adults.
Knitting on needles. Verdict: still lovin' it. Mom's sweater is almost to the armpits and I await the needles by mail to commence the sleeves. How exciting! My worsted weight house socks are on the heel flap of sock two. All that Jane Austen movie and mini series watchin' is paying off big time. Yeah baby!!! I have terrible startitis and am being strong...won't cast on until Nordic Mitten knit along in February. Its so ahrd to resist the lure of the stash...just a wee cute sweater for my sister's friend's baby girl...ungh..so hard to resist..
That is all. Be well. Live long and prosper.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday
Snowdrift Mittens: A Vintage Paton's Pattern
Lets see. Do I have anything meaningful or important to say today? Hmmm.....nope. Just the usual blather. Sorry but I do seem to be a bit of a blatherer. So dull...so boring...so suburban..so middleaged..Is 41 middleaged? I'm not sure.
The kids are at school and the temperature is not deadly cold for the walk to and from the place of learnin'. Niiiice. They get to blow off steam by doing that walk. Ben came home early yesterday with the shakes and a headache. An hour or so in bed made him feel better. Tomorrow there is no school thanks to a regularly scheduled inservice. As a result, Hman is taking the day off and escorting the wee hoodlums to the Auto Show in the city. They are beyond excited, especially to see the car that can go underwater. This means I will have a quiet time. Yay!
The Oscar nominations were revealed today. Most were pretty predictable but RDJ for Tropic Thunder???! Get outta here.
I went out last night to knit in NDG but the turn out was very small. Thats ok though. It meant that we were able to chat as a group, not many conversations going on at once and people getting left out or having to yell from one end of the table to the other. It was cosy. It was intimate. It was nice.
We had a knit along for january in the Noro Striped scarf. Mine was made for me so I'm not making another. February has been deemed the month fopr Nordic Style mitten knit along and the picture you see here is that pattern I have chosen. these will be a gift for my hairdresser nancy. She is very sweet, never makes me cry, and trims my bangs between cuts and refuses to charge me for it sometimes turning a simple bangs trim to a stylish blow out to pamper me (or to keep her reputation intact? can't have hair like mine be seen leaving the salon...whatever). I will use a dark grey for the dark colour and something in shades of pink and purple for the light colour. Aren't they charming? I can't wait to get going on them.
My friend Audrey got me addicted to the TV show Dead Like Me. Why are such good shows always cancelled? It SUCKS! Only two seasons and its gone. I'm left with issues left unresolved after marathoning through the episodes...did George ever reveal herself to her family? Will Daisy get shuffled off for causing too much mayhem? Will Mason try to mule illegals in his bottom ever again? Will Rube ever reap enough souls to finally fill his quota? Will Roxy shoot someone other than Mason? Thank Gods there is a movie coming out on video in February. I so need the box set.
My dishwasher is leaking worse than ever and the dishes are not getting cleaned very well. It is time to upgrade. So much for being virtuous in not booking a trip to the Bahamas, choosing instead to pay down debt with Hman's bonus. Our choices will be limited to what will fit in the space left by the old one. No remodelling is planned at this point in time. :o(
Will you be watching The Last Templar on NBC this weekend (25th and 26th at 9 ET)? I read the book last year and am surprised to see it as a miniseries on network TV. Wonder if it will be good..... How does Mira Sorvino, Oscar awarded actress, feel about doing a TV mini series? Interesting, non? Or not depending on one's perspective, I guess.
Have a great day.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Things that piss me off # 15,782:
Renting the BBC version of Pride and Predjudice with the scrumptious Colin Firth in order to get my historical drama fix, only to discover upon playing that it is dubbed in French.
HAPPY OBAMA DAY
Isn't this an exciting day? I will be glued to the TV thats for sure, watching the inauguration, something I have never bothered with in the past. It never seemed to matter to me before but THIS TIME is a monumental day.
As for yesterday, I totally copped out on Audrey and cancelled our date. I was just so friggin' tired right down into my bones. I have been fighting off virus symptoms for a week. They come lightly to tease at me and make me weak and then they go again. Scratchy throat, irritated ears, and sinuses. Also, its January and as we all know, I am part bear come January and practically hibernate. I slept for a good 4 hours yesterday afternoon (Hman arrived home early from work to find me and Newnie curled up on the couch, Flash on the back of it, and Blossom next to the sofa on the floor...all of us looking up at him with sleepy eyes. All he could do was laugh at us) and was still into bed and asleep before midnight last night. I am so lucky to have an understanding friend and a sweet husband.
Today it is Tuesday and although I am not working today, I let the kids go to the lunchtime and afterschool program at school. This means they get to play with school pals and I get an entire uninterupted day of peacefulness. It will be excellent and I can watch all the Obama coverage without any squabbling etc. Sweet. And maybe take a nap? Definitely get that laundry diminished....?
On the knitting front: I have used an entire skein of yarn so far on mom's sweater. This is exciting and also scary...will 3 skeins be enough for the main colour? I may need to get another just to be safe because I stll have several inches of body plus the sleeves to do.
Also, some of the gals and I have mentioned a desire to knit Nordic style mittens and so have declared February a knit along month for those interested in our two participating groups on Ravelry, North Shore Knitters and Effiloche's Unravelled Knitters. January was the Noro Scarf knit along but someone knit my scarf as a wonderful birthday gift (I love you, Geeta)so I haven't participated as planned. I will be making the mittens as a gift to my wonderful hairdresser Nancy. Between hair cuts I need to get my bangs trimmed up to 3 times, and she never charges me for it because we are friends and it only takes a few minutes, but its still her time and her skills being used so I am making her some awesome mittens. I just need the perfect patterns..and yarn..
Today I am ordering some Knit Picks stuffs...2 books (Harmony Guides "Knit and Purl" and "Cables and Arans") and some more needles. Yay!!! More pretty pretty needles. I need them to keep the gauge accurate in mom's sweater sleeves since I am using my lovely coloured needles on the body. the Harmony Options needles are the cat's ass let me tell you. Pointy but not TOO sharp, slick but still grippy enough not to lose my stitches, did I mention lovely to behold? LOVE THEM. I have the sock needles set plus some extra 2,75 mm sets since its my most used sock needle size, and at Xmas my darling got me the interchangeable circular set I was longing for and I love them. LOVE them. They are reasonably priced needles, you get 6 dPNs rather than the standard 4 or 5, and they are really nice in the hands. I'm looking forward to recieving my package!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Wintertime Blues
I have been fighting them off, but this last week of incredibly cold temperatures (for me) caused me to stay indoors as much as possible...even more than usual. I got out with my knitting friends but thats at night so no sunlight there. Now it has warmed up to minus 12 and I think today I need a walk or something to shake off the shack wackiness. I haven't worked since before Xmas, don't see that changing, and thats part of it too.
Yesterday to help beat our blues we went to Sears. We wanted to test out exercise bikes. I know I know..."But what about the elliptical trainer that you bought 2 years ago and swore to use?". I hate it. HATE IT. SOMEONE told me that the motion would be like the cross country ski machine gliders. Its not. Its totally running and this little fat duck don't run. NO NO NO. Biking though...now we are talking. I like biking. We tried out a recumbent bike and it was crazy uncomfortable for me because of my short squatty legs and I kept bumping my knees on the center console where the innards of the bike are. The Nordic Track bike with the "Soft Seat" was lovely. Easy to adjust to my height and no bike butt discomfort AT ALL in the time I was on it. Lots of settings and doo hickeys and programs too, like the weight loss program. Its was all Hman's idea out of the blue yesterday when he asked what kind of exercise bike I'd use and if I'd actually use it. We went onto the Sears website and took a peek and then decided to head to an outlet for a test. We had settled on the recumbent but in reality, it was the upright that we liked. SEE? It pays to shop. HA. We're saving 100$ over the one we had chosen before trying them out. We get it Friday I think.
After that we cruised the mall that Sears was in because we had never been in it. We left the kids looking at games and wandered across the hall to look at sparklies (diamond rings). My engagement ring broke years ago and I never got a replacement. Now, to cheer me up from time to time we go and look at shiny sparkly rings and day dream about someday getting me a new one. The problem is I have expensive tastes. I wonder if Hman will ever clue in that I could be tricked with cubic zirconia? I mean, they are very sparkly as well and its not like I'm an expert. I just know the style I like and its always about $5000. The store had a 50% off sale and I could have walked out with something gorgeous but it wasn't what i really liked so why bother. The one I drooled over was 3 nice diamonds in a row set into a really nice sturdy 14K ring. Would suit me to a frikkin' t. If it wasn't priced at over $5000. HAHAHA. While I'm dreaming I wanna pony, and a swimsuit model's bod, and long luxurious hair too... It was fun to try them on though and be dazzled by the sparkle. I was smiling and Hman was laughing because as he put it "You always do that...hone in on the most expensive ring without even seeing the price!! You know I will never pay that kind of money even if its marked down half price!!!!' to which I replied "No I didn't....the most expensive one we looked at was over 6 grand and I didn't like it. So there..I saved you about 500$ ! You should be thanking me and walking back in there to sell your soul and get me that ring! ". Oh the fun and games we play.
On the way home we decided that neither of us wanted to cook and so it was Chinese Buffet for supper at Chateau De La Lune. YUM. The kids were thrilled...they suckered Daddy into a game (that they are supposed to reimburse him for)and also got to eat out.
This morning went relatively smoothly. Cam had his usually litany of Monday Morning complaints...sore throat, headache, blah blah blah.. but Ben ACTUALLY got ready on time for a change and that meant no yelling and threats and tears this AM for which I was so grateful. Hugs and I love you's were dispensed instead of smacks and "So help me"s. Wonderful. I wish I could bottle easy mornings and store them up for future use so that every morning could be loaded with hugs, kisses, and I love you's instead of the urge to throttle and "I hate you! You're the worst mommy ever"s. I know it passes and when they get home at lunch its all better but I hate when we have those awful squabbles in the morning and they leave angry and hurt feelinged and I am SO GLAD to see the back of them. Yuck. Not what one bargained for in the parenting gamble. I'll take 'roses and sunshine' for 500 , Alex!!
Lets see...on the schedule for today is laundry laundry and more of the same and Audrey is coming over to knit and visit this afternoon. Yay!
Yesterday to help beat our blues we went to Sears. We wanted to test out exercise bikes. I know I know..."But what about the elliptical trainer that you bought 2 years ago and swore to use?". I hate it. HATE IT. SOMEONE told me that the motion would be like the cross country ski machine gliders. Its not. Its totally running and this little fat duck don't run. NO NO NO. Biking though...now we are talking. I like biking. We tried out a recumbent bike and it was crazy uncomfortable for me because of my short squatty legs and I kept bumping my knees on the center console where the innards of the bike are. The Nordic Track bike with the "Soft Seat" was lovely. Easy to adjust to my height and no bike butt discomfort AT ALL in the time I was on it. Lots of settings and doo hickeys and programs too, like the weight loss program. Its was all Hman's idea out of the blue yesterday when he asked what kind of exercise bike I'd use and if I'd actually use it. We went onto the Sears website and took a peek and then decided to head to an outlet for a test. We had settled on the recumbent but in reality, it was the upright that we liked. SEE? It pays to shop. HA. We're saving 100$ over the one we had chosen before trying them out. We get it Friday I think.
After that we cruised the mall that Sears was in because we had never been in it. We left the kids looking at games and wandered across the hall to look at sparklies (diamond rings). My engagement ring broke years ago and I never got a replacement. Now, to cheer me up from time to time we go and look at shiny sparkly rings and day dream about someday getting me a new one. The problem is I have expensive tastes. I wonder if Hman will ever clue in that I could be tricked with cubic zirconia? I mean, they are very sparkly as well and its not like I'm an expert. I just know the style I like and its always about $5000. The store had a 50% off sale and I could have walked out with something gorgeous but it wasn't what i really liked so why bother. The one I drooled over was 3 nice diamonds in a row set into a really nice sturdy 14K ring. Would suit me to a frikkin' t. If it wasn't priced at over $5000. HAHAHA. While I'm dreaming I wanna pony, and a swimsuit model's bod, and long luxurious hair too... It was fun to try them on though and be dazzled by the sparkle. I was smiling and Hman was laughing because as he put it "You always do that...hone in on the most expensive ring without even seeing the price!! You know I will never pay that kind of money even if its marked down half price!!!!' to which I replied "No I didn't....the most expensive one we looked at was over 6 grand and I didn't like it. So there..I saved you about 500$ ! You should be thanking me and walking back in there to sell your soul and get me that ring! ". Oh the fun and games we play.
On the way home we decided that neither of us wanted to cook and so it was Chinese Buffet for supper at Chateau De La Lune. YUM. The kids were thrilled...they suckered Daddy into a game (that they are supposed to reimburse him for)and also got to eat out.
This morning went relatively smoothly. Cam had his usually litany of Monday Morning complaints...sore throat, headache, blah blah blah.. but Ben ACTUALLY got ready on time for a change and that meant no yelling and threats and tears this AM for which I was so grateful. Hugs and I love you's were dispensed instead of smacks and "So help me"s. Wonderful. I wish I could bottle easy mornings and store them up for future use so that every morning could be loaded with hugs, kisses, and I love you's instead of the urge to throttle and "I hate you! You're the worst mommy ever"s. I know it passes and when they get home at lunch its all better but I hate when we have those awful squabbles in the morning and they leave angry and hurt feelinged and I am SO GLAD to see the back of them. Yuck. Not what one bargained for in the parenting gamble. I'll take 'roses and sunshine' for 500 , Alex!!
Lets see...on the schedule for today is laundry laundry and more of the same and Audrey is coming over to knit and visit this afternoon. Yay!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
January 18th
My kids are driving me up the effing wall. Bicker bicker bicker whine whine whine! ARGH!!! I just sent one to do homework and the other to occupy himself in his bedroom away from electronic devices such as TV and computer.
Work commenced on my mother's sweater. Its so pink..ugh. Dusty Rose rather, or as I like to call it "Old Lady Pink". I've done the ribbing at the bottom and am well into the stockinette body. 15 inches to the arm pit from the bottom, and then I get to cast on sleeves, for which I do not have the needles (Harmony dpns in 4mm and 5mm...a 16inch 5mm circular would be handy too, but not a total necessity). I will order them at the end of the month/beginning of February.
Newman is as wonderful as ever. Hman has encouraged bad behaviour such as biting and scratching in play and they have a terrific time, but I DON'T enjoy having my hand shredded by those now sharp claws. I haven't been trimming Newman's claws so that he can climb his cat tree, but I think I will have to start again no matter how much he hates it.
I finished one heavy sock and need to rip it back out, at least the toe area. Just not satisfied with it since I forgot to do the toe in off white like the stripes and heel, and also I knit too far for gradual decreasing and I don't like the fit. Ripping it back 2-3 inches and redoing the toe will fix that and make me happier so I guess I will do that tonight.
I am very dull today, huh?
Work commenced on my mother's sweater. Its so pink..ugh. Dusty Rose rather, or as I like to call it "Old Lady Pink". I've done the ribbing at the bottom and am well into the stockinette body. 15 inches to the arm pit from the bottom, and then I get to cast on sleeves, for which I do not have the needles (Harmony dpns in 4mm and 5mm...a 16inch 5mm circular would be handy too, but not a total necessity). I will order them at the end of the month/beginning of February.
Newman is as wonderful as ever. Hman has encouraged bad behaviour such as biting and scratching in play and they have a terrific time, but I DON'T enjoy having my hand shredded by those now sharp claws. I haven't been trimming Newman's claws so that he can climb his cat tree, but I think I will have to start again no matter how much he hates it.
I finished one heavy sock and need to rip it back out, at least the toe area. Just not satisfied with it since I forgot to do the toe in off white like the stripes and heel, and also I knit too far for gradual decreasing and I don't like the fit. Ripping it back 2-3 inches and redoing the toe will fix that and make me happier so I guess I will do that tonight.
I am very dull today, huh?
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
More photos....
Boxing Day (see the hat on the baby? My work, finished Christmas Day night and dry by the time people arrived on Boxing Day...whew! A teal like Rowan Felted Tweed and an alpaca blend in tan and a PERFECT fit) and back-at-home winter fun. If you have a cat and don't have a cat tree, you are missing some cool acro-catics.
Newman is nutty for the thing, regulary zipping up to the ceiling and then launching himself at the diningroom table, and Miss Kitty has a fondness for its scratchybility and the lower shelf perch. Flash, as ever, is unamused.
We got it at Walmart for about 50$ and its been money well spent.
More Photos
Boxing day in NS with Family and friends, and my Newman. Look at that face...irresistable, non?
And now with photos..........
We have birthday loot (mine), Cammie's bday cake, hot tubbin' in NS and xmas morning smiles.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Its 2009
It has been for a week but I'm not the fastest horse on the track, know what I mean?
No real news except I have broken my own personal record for completing a sock: 2 days! I casted it on Saturday night (60 stitches with Opal 6 ply), knit ALOT on Sunday, a bit yesterday and finished 'er up tonight, casting on sock 2 right away. They are for Cammie as he is hand knit sockless although I have knit more socks for HIM than anyone else...the damn child's feet just grow like crazy. I have seen him fit into socks when I finished the first and have them be barely fitting when I finished the second! These one's may actually last the winter. BooYah! Ben still wears his first pair I made (second pair I ever made)in January 2007 and he fits into the socks I made for Cam last year of which i spoke above...they were really nice ones.
We are being warned that a snow storm is coming over night. So far we have been hits pretty easily in the snow department which makes my snow meltdown last month a bit premature and undeserved (maybe). PMS will do that to a girl. That and smirky snow plow drivers....grrrrrrrr.
I am going out tomorrow and investing in a baby gate for the laundry room door because my disgusting dog eats cat poo from the litter boxes. She spewed cat poo vomit all over the family room floor Sunday morning and has been suffering from noxious gas emissions, and as a grossed out family, we have had more than enough of her disgusting snack habits. NASTY. Why didn't i buy a gate before you ask? Cuz I kept forgetting thats why, especially when we were down to two outdoorsy cats that prefer to do their bidness outside. Now we have a 3rd cat of the more litterbox friendly variety and Blossom thinks she's died and gone to Cat Poo Buffet heaven...and yes I do sift the boxes frequently but she has a better sense of smell than I do and beats me to it. NASTY NASTY DOG!!
School started back today and it was blissfully quiet and angst free here Chez Nous once the kids were out the door. I almost cried with the relief.
No real news except I have broken my own personal record for completing a sock: 2 days! I casted it on Saturday night (60 stitches with Opal 6 ply), knit ALOT on Sunday, a bit yesterday and finished 'er up tonight, casting on sock 2 right away. They are for Cammie as he is hand knit sockless although I have knit more socks for HIM than anyone else...the damn child's feet just grow like crazy. I have seen him fit into socks when I finished the first and have them be barely fitting when I finished the second! These one's may actually last the winter. BooYah! Ben still wears his first pair I made (second pair I ever made)in January 2007 and he fits into the socks I made for Cam last year of which i spoke above...they were really nice ones.
We are being warned that a snow storm is coming over night. So far we have been hits pretty easily in the snow department which makes my snow meltdown last month a bit premature and undeserved (maybe). PMS will do that to a girl. That and smirky snow plow drivers....grrrrrrrr.
I am going out tomorrow and investing in a baby gate for the laundry room door because my disgusting dog eats cat poo from the litter boxes. She spewed cat poo vomit all over the family room floor Sunday morning and has been suffering from noxious gas emissions, and as a grossed out family, we have had more than enough of her disgusting snack habits. NASTY. Why didn't i buy a gate before you ask? Cuz I kept forgetting thats why, especially when we were down to two outdoorsy cats that prefer to do their bidness outside. Now we have a 3rd cat of the more litterbox friendly variety and Blossom thinks she's died and gone to Cat Poo Buffet heaven...and yes I do sift the boxes frequently but she has a better sense of smell than I do and beats me to it. NASTY NASTY DOG!!
School started back today and it was blissfully quiet and angst free here Chez Nous once the kids were out the door. I almost cried with the relief.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Home again
After driving all day, we are back in our own home. It was a sad thing to leave a sunshiney Nova Scotia early this morning, the golden sun gilding the grass and trees. The good weather stayed with us for the whole trip and while its wasn't sunny the entire time, it was quite bright and clear with excellent roads.
First order of business upon pulling into the ice rink that is the driveway was to race (cautiously) for the door and cuddle my Newnie. Newman relaxed in my arms for several minutes, purring forgivingly while I crooned and scratched all his favorite spots. The other pets were unimpressed with our return, though I think Blossom would have been glad had she heard us. She's getting pretty deaf.
Now the guys are on the sofa laughing at a Cirque Du Soleil performance on TV, I am online, and Newnie is terrorizing Flash and Miss Kitty.
Its good to be home.
First order of business upon pulling into the ice rink that is the driveway was to race (cautiously) for the door and cuddle my Newnie. Newman relaxed in my arms for several minutes, purring forgivingly while I crooned and scratched all his favorite spots. The other pets were unimpressed with our return, though I think Blossom would have been glad had she heard us. She's getting pretty deaf.
Now the guys are on the sofa laughing at a Cirque Du Soleil performance on TV, I am online, and Newnie is terrorizing Flash and Miss Kitty.
Its good to be home.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday from NS
HI! We are in Nova Scotia and while lovin' it (LOVIN' IT!), there are small things that are annoying. Like, why is so much of the beer selection in CANS? Eeeeww. That and I can't buy my beer at the grocery store, but in a store adjacent to the grocery store and y'all know how lazy I am.
I made a quick trip to Tangled Skeins today (yarn shop in Dartmouth) because I lost a 4.5 mm DPN. Seriously, I was heartbroken to require a trip to a yarn shop. I wept! REal tears! Ok...not foolin' anyone....
Lovely yarn lady there not only sold me my needles (Brittany 4.5 mm dpns) but also sold me 8 ( EIGHT) skeins of Warani in my favourite colour which I didn't buy when it was available in Montreal (colour: clover...a lovely green) and now its not available in Montreal and I has regrets. Not only that, but because she's havin' a sale this weekend, she sold it to me at the sale price of half off. Oh yes I did score 8 balls for the price o'four! Uh huh...thats right...yeah baby! I have plans too...it will be the body of a 3/4 length sleeved patterned yoke sweater for yours truly. I will coordinate the yoke colours from available Warani in Montreal. In my head its beautiful (and I am thin...).
We are now in our rented accomadations here in the NS. A cozy farm house in Pine Grove.
I am very happy and have maybe had a bit too much vodka too fast...but i am lovin' it.
Hugs All!!!!!
I made a quick trip to Tangled Skeins today (yarn shop in Dartmouth) because I lost a 4.5 mm DPN. Seriously, I was heartbroken to require a trip to a yarn shop. I wept! REal tears! Ok...not foolin' anyone....
Lovely yarn lady there not only sold me my needles (Brittany 4.5 mm dpns) but also sold me 8 ( EIGHT) skeins of Warani in my favourite colour which I didn't buy when it was available in Montreal (colour: clover...a lovely green) and now its not available in Montreal and I has regrets. Not only that, but because she's havin' a sale this weekend, she sold it to me at the sale price of half off. Oh yes I did score 8 balls for the price o'four! Uh huh...thats right...yeah baby! I have plans too...it will be the body of a 3/4 length sleeved patterned yoke sweater for yours truly. I will coordinate the yoke colours from available Warani in Montreal. In my head its beautiful (and I am thin...).
We are now in our rented accomadations here in the NS. A cozy farm house in Pine Grove.
I am very happy and have maybe had a bit too much vodka too fast...but i am lovin' it.
Hugs All!!!!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Hmmm......
You Should Be a Doctor |
 You are practical, sharp, and very intuitive. Optimistic and energetic, you are a problem solver who doesn't get discouraged easily. You are also quite compassionate and caring. You make people feel hopeful. You're highly adaptable and capable. You do well with almost any curve ball life throws at you. You do best when you: - Are always learning new subjects - Use your knowledge to solve problems You would also be a good therapist or detective. |
One week later........
Snowmageddon is on its way to Ontary-ario, snow is headed here come Sunday , I am headed east come Midnight. HA! Take that winter.
Can you believe the snow that hit Las Vegas! Holy Frak. I feel their pain I totally do although for Nevada folk it might be a fun novelty.
Newman was to the vet today for shots, poo examination, and to get some sores checked out. What we put down as cat acne appears to be a fungal infection and now with a new ointment (Surolan) to torture him with, twice a day, on any and all boo boos we find on him (face, foot, and possibly belly so far). NOT NICE, man. Poor guy and now we be leaving him to the tender mercies of the pet sitters who come a few times a day to care for the house and fur children.
Knitting: Finished Dad's hat and it was too big and I had to shrink it. Another good thing about wool: shrinkability. HA! Casted on a scarf and frogged it. Casted on last pair of mittens and had to frog them too. Need to finish the thumbs on Dad's mittens (Procrastination, thy name is Me).
We are so excited to head out tonight. I hope everyone who visits here has a wonderful holiday season, no matter how its is celebrated (or not celebrated). May you all have joy in your lives.
Can you believe the snow that hit Las Vegas! Holy Frak. I feel their pain I totally do although for Nevada folk it might be a fun novelty.
Newman was to the vet today for shots, poo examination, and to get some sores checked out. What we put down as cat acne appears to be a fungal infection and now with a new ointment (Surolan) to torture him with, twice a day, on any and all boo boos we find on him (face, foot, and possibly belly so far). NOT NICE, man. Poor guy and now we be leaving him to the tender mercies of the pet sitters who come a few times a day to care for the house and fur children.
Knitting: Finished Dad's hat and it was too big and I had to shrink it. Another good thing about wool: shrinkability. HA! Casted on a scarf and frogged it. Casted on last pair of mittens and had to frog them too. Need to finish the thumbs on Dad's mittens (Procrastination, thy name is Me).
We are so excited to head out tonight. I hope everyone who visits here has a wonderful holiday season, no matter how its is celebrated (or not celebrated). May you all have joy in your lives.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Winter Frustration.
Its been a bitch of a day. Its not even the middle of December and we are already into the white for good and I honestly don't know if I can handle another winter here with any semblence of grace, aplomb, or even sanity.
Lets take into consideration the fact that its the busy time of year at work for Hman and he is not around much to do manly things like snowblower the drive way. And he doesn't do a very good job anyways.
I had my first incident of being stuck in my driveway for the 2008-2009 winter. Why yes I did flip out, thank you for asking. I coulda gotten out but at the last second a #$%^^$%ing van came down my street and I had to hit my brakes. This meant that my momentum could not carry me through the snow that the plow has set at the end of my drive ONCE AGAIN. We are on a corner so not only do I get the snow from my street but the snow from around the corner as well. The neighbor tried to help me out but my suck ass winter tires had NO traction. He took my kid to school for which I thanked him while I started shovelling to free my stuck car. then i freed said car, parked on the street to clear the drive and another #$%^&ing plow came around the corner and filled in the end of the drive even worse than it had been before I cleared it. Thats when I started to cry. And swear more visciously and contemplate plane fare outta here. And cry more.
Yes. I stood in the fucking street with my snow scoop (because SOMEONE does not trust me to operate the blower) and I cried my heart out hopelessly. Because this is just the beginning. I have 5 months of this to look forward to. I cried while I scooped. I cried as I shovelled. I cried as I gave it up and went grocery shopping. I think I was pretty much done by the time I entered the Maxi. Hard to tell.
I think I deserve some liquor. And lots and lots of chocolate.
Lets take into consideration the fact that its the busy time of year at work for Hman and he is not around much to do manly things like snowblower the drive way. And he doesn't do a very good job anyways.
I had my first incident of being stuck in my driveway for the 2008-2009 winter. Why yes I did flip out, thank you for asking. I coulda gotten out but at the last second a #$%^^$%ing van came down my street and I had to hit my brakes. This meant that my momentum could not carry me through the snow that the plow has set at the end of my drive ONCE AGAIN. We are on a corner so not only do I get the snow from my street but the snow from around the corner as well. The neighbor tried to help me out but my suck ass winter tires had NO traction. He took my kid to school for which I thanked him while I started shovelling to free my stuck car. then i freed said car, parked on the street to clear the drive and another #$%^&ing plow came around the corner and filled in the end of the drive even worse than it had been before I cleared it. Thats when I started to cry. And swear more visciously and contemplate plane fare outta here. And cry more.
Yes. I stood in the fucking street with my snow scoop (because SOMEONE does not trust me to operate the blower) and I cried my heart out hopelessly. Because this is just the beginning. I have 5 months of this to look forward to. I cried while I scooped. I cried as I shovelled. I cried as I gave it up and went grocery shopping. I think I was pretty much done by the time I entered the Maxi. Hard to tell.
I think I deserve some liquor. And lots and lots of chocolate.
My Eyes Hurt
For two days I have been watching every episode of True Blood on the internet, with and without Chinese subtitles (stupid Blockbuster doesn't have the DVDs otherwise I could have watched it with much more comfort. Stupid Blockbuster. How could they NOT HAVE IT.
Sometimes I couldn't get full screen and had to strain my eyes with a wee little window to get my fix. I started in the morning and watched as much as I could all day. Did you know that some websites limit your free video watching and cut you off for an hour!!!? Bastards.
I'm hooked. Hooked I tell ya. 12 episodes in two days...my eyes hurt. And yet I crave MORE!!!!! MORE MORE MORE.
I "heart" Bill and Sam. I wish I had a hot vampire and a hot shape shifter fighting over me.
Is Sam leaving town? Will Bill and Sookie stay together? Will Tara pull her head out of her ass and stop yelling at everyone? Is Lafayette DEAD?? (please no please no please no no no)
I swear this is the best TV I have ever had. If Santa saw his way clear to putting Season One under the tree for me I would really be happy.
Down side of watching approximatly 11 hours of True Blood is that I started talking with a Southern accent but accident.
Sometimes I couldn't get full screen and had to strain my eyes with a wee little window to get my fix. I started in the morning and watched as much as I could all day. Did you know that some websites limit your free video watching and cut you off for an hour!!!? Bastards.
I'm hooked. Hooked I tell ya. 12 episodes in two days...my eyes hurt. And yet I crave MORE!!!!! MORE MORE MORE.
I "heart" Bill and Sam. I wish I had a hot vampire and a hot shape shifter fighting over me.
Is Sam leaving town? Will Bill and Sookie stay together? Will Tara pull her head out of her ass and stop yelling at everyone? Is Lafayette DEAD?? (please no please no please no no no)
I swear this is the best TV I have ever had. If Santa saw his way clear to putting Season One under the tree for me I would really be happy.
Down side of watching approximatly 11 hours of True Blood is that I started talking with a Southern accent but accident.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Best. Knit night. EVAH !!
Last Saturday my knitting friend Geeta and I pledged to attend Knit Night this evening in order to celebrate our mutual birthdays. Her's was the 3rd and mine is the 8th.
Tonight was that night. Lots of lovely knitter friends came to knit night to help us celebrate! I want to take this moment to say THANK YOU ALL! Its was lovely to share time with everyone and knit together (and nosh together and sip wine together....).
Ginette our mostest hostess provided wine and tortiere and quiche and a birthday cake that I had to forego because Hman had arrived to pick me up (see wine sipping comments above for why I didn't drive) and was NOT willing to park and come in since he had an extra kidlet with him (Ben had a sleep over friend). I'll get my slice tomorrow at work ( I HOPE!!). It looked sensational.
Geeta and I each had a gift for the other but hers totally blew mine out of the water. TOTALLY. We'd all planned to have a Noro Scarf KAL in January after all the Xmas fuss was over and we could selfishly knit for ourselves. Turns out that my Bombay Baby ( I know, I know... its Mumbai now) knit me the scarf. It was her plan all along and she was surprised to see me at the shop one evening in November picking out my yarn for the scarf. So she and Ginette kept it a secret and I have the most kick ass scarf ever (especially since I didn't have to knit it...scarves are way tedious but this one is soooo niiice). The Noro Silk Garden yarn is way softer than I thought it would knit it up to be and she used the yarn colours I had picked out. HA! She got me big time! I was totally floored.
Dana, my pet and darling, she surprised me with an adorable little tin and my knee jerk reaction was to open it even though it was empty...NOT. What I thought was a cute empty tin was actually a tin with a gift card inside. SWEET! Now I can get the CD I want without guilt. Yes!
My pal and travelling companion to Rhinebeck, Janet also surprised me as I was leaving with a fantastic knitting book, Handknit Holidays by Melanie Fralick and its perfect for me. I have been close to buying it several times and have found patterns I admired only to discover that they were in this book which I didn't have. Now I do!!!
I am so spoiled. Great friends. Lovely thoughtful gifts. I am so very very blessed. Thank you.
Pictures will be added asap of the luverly gifts.
Tonight was that night. Lots of lovely knitter friends came to knit night to help us celebrate! I want to take this moment to say THANK YOU ALL! Its was lovely to share time with everyone and knit together (and nosh together and sip wine together....).
Ginette our mostest hostess provided wine and tortiere and quiche and a birthday cake that I had to forego because Hman had arrived to pick me up (see wine sipping comments above for why I didn't drive) and was NOT willing to park and come in since he had an extra kidlet with him (Ben had a sleep over friend). I'll get my slice tomorrow at work ( I HOPE!!). It looked sensational.
Geeta and I each had a gift for the other but hers totally blew mine out of the water. TOTALLY. We'd all planned to have a Noro Scarf KAL in January after all the Xmas fuss was over and we could selfishly knit for ourselves. Turns out that my Bombay Baby ( I know, I know... its Mumbai now) knit me the scarf. It was her plan all along and she was surprised to see me at the shop one evening in November picking out my yarn for the scarf. So she and Ginette kept it a secret and I have the most kick ass scarf ever (especially since I didn't have to knit it...scarves are way tedious but this one is soooo niiice). The Noro Silk Garden yarn is way softer than I thought it would knit it up to be and she used the yarn colours I had picked out. HA! She got me big time! I was totally floored.
Dana, my pet and darling, she surprised me with an adorable little tin and my knee jerk reaction was to open it even though it was empty...NOT. What I thought was a cute empty tin was actually a tin with a gift card inside. SWEET! Now I can get the CD I want without guilt. Yes!
My pal and travelling companion to Rhinebeck, Janet also surprised me as I was leaving with a fantastic knitting book, Handknit Holidays by Melanie Fralick and its perfect for me. I have been close to buying it several times and have found patterns I admired only to discover that they were in this book which I didn't have. Now I do!!!
I am so spoiled. Great friends. Lovely thoughtful gifts. I am so very very blessed. Thank you.
Pictures will be added asap of the luverly gifts.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Knitting and where I work
Since I had the camera out, I decided to play a little catch up with taking pictures of my little world.
What you see here is my Xmas knitting both finished and in progress (thrummed mitts and Vermont Hat for my dad are in progress), the LYS where I do time, and my wacky adorable "boss" Ginette. Hman brought the floor lamp from his office home and now I have a new knitting spot closer to my stash and out of the way of everyone (remarks were made about the yarn and sticks taking over the house).
Here we go: Newman
Unlike his namesake, my Newman is very difficult to photograph because he doesn't keep still long enough. Basically I ended up with a lot of ass shots because he moves pretty quick.
He looks like a dirty white cat right now but thats his colour coming in. By age two he'll be fully coloured. Wherever he looks dingey and dirty on the white is where the blue grey will be.
Even dirty looking he's adorable and as you can see by our cuddle, a true Ragdoll fur baby.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
I want these mittens
Hippocampus Mittens
Just looking at them makes me WANT them more. To that effect I brought home yarny goodness in the forms of Noro Kureyon sock yarn and Malabrigo sock yarn for them. When I have time. After the Xmas knitting. If I knit hard and long I could be casting on these babies on the weekend.
But what are the chances of THAT? I'll settle for this being my travel knitting when we go away for Xmas.
I took pictures of Newman this morning as well as of my boring old knitting. Will post them soon.
Monday, December 01, 2008
A Quote My Sister Emailed To Me
"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.”
Its funny cuz its true.
Its funny cuz its true.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
He's here!
Newman came home to us last night and is totally freaked by the whole situation. Its getting better though and he is lovely. He misses all his kitty peeps though and being in a house is a new experience...eeek furniture and people and loudness!
Pictures soon!
Pictures soon!
Monday, November 24, 2008
A hiccup in the plans
Newman can't come home this Friday after all due to needing some shots first for Feline Leukemia protection. This means he will be almost 6 months old when he can finally come home at the end of December after we get back from our Christmas trip, which was the original plan...but now its disappointing.
Health and well being come first though.
Health and well being come first though.
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